Impact of International Collaboration on the Learning Environment Amir W. Al-Khafaji Krishnanand Y. Maillacheruvu

INTRODUCTION Vision of Dr. Amir Al-Khafaji CEC Department recognized value of internationalization as early as 1995, well before the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) established the eleven student outcomes Significance of the international experience on the growth and development of young engineers and construction professionals Importance of international experience in a rapidly changing multicultural world

MECHANISMS Global Explorer Program Semester Abroad Study Faculty Sabbatical

IMPACT ON PARTICIPANTS Students and Faculty learned to function in multicultural world Time management skills Strengthening of bond between students and professors Adjusting to local customs and getting appreciation of how people live

SCANDINAVIAN EXPERIENCE

LEARNING IN A DIFFERENT CULTURE Exposure to perspectives of other cultures Learning to understand established concepts in a new light Learning about new technologies and how to be efficient Learning about economic issues that impact professional decisions

SCANDINAVIAN EXPERIENCE Denmark Norway Sweden Collaborations with universities Balancing learning with a cultural immersion experience

SCANDINAVIAN EXPERIENCE Denmark Norway Sweden Collaborations with universities Balancing learning with a cultural immersion experience

EGYPT-JORDAN EXPERIENCE Cultural differences between countries in the Middle East Cost of living and economic conditions University connections Petra, Jerash, Dead Sea, other sites Great Pyramids, Nile, Luxor, Alexandria, Mediterranean Coast

EGYPT-JORDAN EXPERIENCE

INDIAN EXPERIENCE

INDIA EXPERIENCE Sabbatical at IIT Bombay Student attitudes towards learning Cultural differences and student culture in India vs. US Scholarship and research Travel

INDIA EXPERIENCE Conferences and Workshops Writing books and book chapters Engaging in research with students and faculty Long-term professional relationships with colleagues and how to keep them alive Academic exchanges since return

INDIA EXPERIENCE Interaction with high-level decision makers from Indian Government USDoE Workshop on Energy and the Environment Meeting with high-level Chinese Team in Mumbai on collaborative work

Glimpses of Study Abroad Experience partments/cec/studyabroad/jordan09/ partments/cec/studyabroad/jordan09/ partments/cec/studyabroad/uk/ partments/cec/studyabroad/uk/

Glimpses of Study Abroad Experience

IMPACT IN CLASSROOM Faculty bring back learning from other cultures and share with students Students share experiences with other students Understanding of importance of internationalization and how to function in a global marketplace

IMPACT IN CLASSROOM Awakening of curiosity about learning about the world Students working for companies that do business overseas Alumni who have become significant players in the global civil engineering industry

IMPACT ON EDUCATION & RESEARCH Sustainable technologies Appropriate technologies Teaching styles Learning styles Cultural immersion

LESSONS LEARNED Changing educational landscape of higher education at US Universities Cultural sensitivity Undergraduates from other countries Educating world leaders of tomorrow Meeting student outcomes through the process Creating a new vision for the future

SUMMARY Impact of Internationalization on the Learning Environment Uniqueness of CEC Initiatives Challenges and Opportunities Bright future of the program Model for many to use